Lobbyists Millions Weakened Fda

December 1, 2004|Frank J. Donnellon Boynton Beach

It's laughable if it wasn't so sad. Congressmen, elected to protect the American people, have weakened the Food and Drug Administration. How? By not allowing the FDA to test drugs to the fullest length of time that it takes to deem them safe for public consumption, as it was before powerful lobbyist groups became so influential.

The pharmaceutical lobbyists donated $50 million to both parties to be elected to office. To the unsuspecting public, the drug companies' object was to get their deadly drugs into the market as quickly as possible. Result: thousands heart attack and stroke victims caused by the use of Vioxx. Five other drugs are suspect now, as well.

And our congressmen have the gall to tell us that the drugs from Canada are unsafe.

Why don't our elected officials turn down the $50 million from the lobbyists so we can buy cheaper drugs? Instead, our congressmen are selling us out to the lobbyists.

Dr. David Graham, an honest person employed by the FDA whose testimony brought this info to light, is now being retaliated against by his bosses. It may jeopardize his own career. I just hope the powers that be let this good man continue doing his job, protecting the American public.